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DOMESTIC MODERN | DESIGN BLOG

August 27^th, 2008

What We Can Learn From Miami’s Swankiest Hangouts

Perhaps two of the most well decorated and ultra-modern nightspots our country offers are the lounges and restaurants at the Delano Hotel and The Shore Club. Both located in Miami’s South Beach they truly set the standard for modern design. Although I will be the first to say that some of the artwork and various pieces of furniture are a bit too abstract for my taste there is one underlying theme in the décor …………beauty through simplicity.

Whether it’s the dark consistent hard wood floors in the Delano lobby which set off the long white floor to ceiling drapes, or the sheik black and white look of the conference rooms and private dining areas at The Shore Club the simple modern look is very prevalent in both hotels. A favorite of mine would have to be the pool behind the Delano. The all white reclining chairs and beds which sit poolside coupled with the all white cabanas create a clean and simple look that bring out the natural beauty of the palm trees and vegetation around the pool.

So what can we take from this and how can we apply this to our own abodes? (and in this case through the selection of a modern rug) Firstly, don’t try to hard – select one or two bold pieces of furniture and let them pop by inserting some more understated accents. Selecting a rug in a solid color will go a long way in achieving this look. Shag rugs, and Flokati wool rugs are great for this and both have a very contemporary feel. Or if you so choose, go with a minimalist feel when selecting your furniture and let the rug be the bold piece in the room. Either way understanding that there is a beauty in simplicity, and that simplicity is one the best ways to create a modern look you will make your job of getting the look you want a lot easier.

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August 23rd, 2008

A Match Made In France

India

It's August which means it's time to hit the stores for the latest in fall fashion. Me, I'm an accessories girl - shoes, purses, jewelry - I just can't get enough! One thing I never forget to accessorize is my house. All it takes is a few key pieces to completely change the look of a room. No, you don't need to buy new furniture, (have you seen the economy lately?) just a few basics. A rug and a couple of new pillows can turn a space from bland to glam. It's like buying shoes for your living room!

My favorite place to go for pillows is Bonjour Mon Coussin. Based in France, Bonjour is the brainchild of Claire Eglizeaud and Paul Moreau, two extremely talented designers. From the delicious Supremepillow covered in strawberry flavored Supreme Biscuits to the oh so pretty Fleurpatch, you'll love them all!

After browsing around the Bonjour website for an hour, I finally picked my three favorite pillows, each of which I've paired with the perfect Domestic Modern rug. First off, the Dentelle pillow (available in blue and purple) with the Criss Cross Stripes Rug for a modern twist in the bedroom - or the living room if you dare! Add a few brightly colored accessories and the room will be complete.

Next, indulge your sweet tooth with the Teatime cushion and Chocolate Brown Wool Rug. The browns are warm and inviting for those cool fall nights curled up with a mug of hot chocolate. Use creamy accents to soften the room and try not to eat the pillows!!

Want to keep your eyes in tip top shape? Grab my last pick, the Astygmate pillow...you'll never need to go to the eye doctor again! Adorn the floor with the Red Shag Rug. The rich color and texture of the shag will make your room a real site for sore eyes.

Oh, and don't forget to buy that new outfit you wanted. You'll want to look as gorgeous as your new room!

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August 14, 2008

Modern Rugs and The Illusion of Space

Often times when living in the urban maze that is Seattle (or any metropolitan area for that matter) one must deal with decorating an apartment that lacks among many things SPACE. Given that inevitable fact there are many interior design approaches that can help to minimize this. (no pun intended)

Firstly the use of light colors creates a feeling of more space. This use of color is most important when choosing; bedding, wall color and rugs. Beige, off-white, and even lime green rugs go a long way in brightening a room and creating the feeling of more space. The selection of lighter colors on the walls and floors also helps in maximizing the effect of natural light. Additionally it is imperative to minimize clutter wherever possible. This can be achieved by selecting pieces of furniture that offer ample storage as well as getting creative and finding inconspicuous places to store various odds and ends. Here are some recommendations on some trendy / modern rugs carried here at DomesticModern.com which should go a long way in creating this feel;

Thomas Paul Coral Pattern Cream and Orange Rug:

Beige Floral Lines Area Rug:

Light Grey and Beige Striped Area Rug:

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August 12th, 2008

Mid-Century Design & Retro Modern Rugs

India

If you read my personal blog, Apartment 528, you know I'm a fan of all things retro. The mid-century period (1950-70) was a time of change, the height of American pop culture, and the dawn of great design - much of which was Scandinavian. New "modern" homes were built for happy young couples while stores filled with the likes of Eames, Saarinen, and Jacobsen.

Though the times have changed, most vintage designs are still around today creating the classic look we call mid-century modern or retro modern. Unfortunately, obtaining the perfect balance between livable retro and vintage junk can be hard. How much is too much? How far should you go? As someone who's turned their living room into a mid-century marvel (I'm my number one fan) I'm here to offer advice.

Without further ado, India's Rules of Retro Decorating

1) Chairs, Chairs Everywhere

Mid-century design was all about chairs, from Bertoia's Diamond Chair to the infamous Eames Lounger. Consider replacing your loveseat with two lounge or side chairs. Not only does this give you the freedom to move seating around the next time you host a fondue party, but it also gives you the ability to be creative. Mix, match, and coordinate the chairs to your heart's desire. Need some chairspiration (chair + inspiration...I'm so funny!!)?

2) Get Teaky

I saw a house for sale on craigslist the other day that was COMPLETELY covered in wood panelling. They described the house as a 70's throwback. Really? I couldn't tell! Panelling is good as an accent, but I much prefer the 50's take on wood - it stayed in furniture and decor. Teak was the prefered wood of choice for most designers. The rich, durable wood goes perfectly with vintage colors and instantly warms a space. Use teak furniture to give your room a firm base.

3) Dive into Color

When it comes to retro decor, you can go neutral or be brave and add some color. I'm not recommending you turn your home into rainbow land; pops of color here and there will do the trick. There are basically two ways you can handle color: neutral furniture with bold accessories or bold furniture with neutral accessories. Either way, you can't fail.

4) Credenza

Just about every retro furniture collector has a credenza. Why? Not only is it a defining piece, it's also versitle. You can use it as a buffet in the dining room or as a sidebar in an office. In my house, I mounted my LCD tv above the credenza to make it a real focal point. Top it off with a vase, candles, or neat little tchockes (see rule 6). I found this two-piece credenza on craigslist and have been in love with it ever since. It sold awhile ago but I still keep the picture as a memory!

5) The Little Things

Yes, the aim of these rules was to help you avoid a house full of tchockes, but you need a few little pieces to complete the look. My favorite place for vintage decor is H is for Home, a European store that specializes in mid-century and one-off pieces. They have just about everything you could ever need for everyday, retro life, and a few things you never knew you needed! I love the pedastal ashtray and funky trimphone. Victory Vintage is another great place to go if you're looking for decor...check out the cute cork lamps.

6) Shag Baby!

You didn't think I'd go this far without mentioning a Domestic Modern rug did you?! This time it's the shag. The late 60's started the shag boom in America. From mustard yellow to avocado green, shag carpeting was everywhere. While I happen to love shag, having it wall-to-wall (and in those horrible colors) is definitely a faux pas. Instead, grab an area rug from Domestic Modern to give your floor the shag it desires. My favorite: the Wave Pattern Rug. I'd pair it with the Dux Couch I picked out earlier and use cream colored pillows and accessories to lighten the room.

7) The Final Reveal

Here are a few pics from around the web to get your creative juices flowing:

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July 19th, 2008

Q & A With Designer Thomas Paul

DM & India

When some of the staff at Domestic Modern and India from Apartment 528 sat down with Thomas Paul (who’s fantastic collection of modern rugs are sold here!) we got some great insight into his inspiration behind his line;

How would you best describe your style of your rugs? Usually my designs are categorized under modern or contemporary, but I see what I do more along the lines of traditional, but with a twist. Many of the design elements I use are very classic and traditional, but I give them new life with a different scale or updated colors.

Will we see you hosting any design shows in the near future? I never say never, but I really treasure my privacy and the ability to walk around New York anonymously. Television is a really powereful medium and once you go there, you can never go back. I always said that I wanted a famous name, but not necessarily a famous face.

Your line of rugs has obviously been very successful thus far. Which rugs are your personal favorites and what was your inspiration behind those pieces? Probably the Lovebirds and the Robin. These bird images were really successful in melamine, so they naturally were expanded into other categories, but I like them best as rugs because they are huge in an 8'x11' size. I have the Robin rug in this size in my own apartment.

How do you go about selecting fabrics and colors for your collections? Well, I don't select fabrics, all of my textiles are designed by myself and printed just for me, so they are not open line fabrics that I just buy to use for my pillows. In terms of design inspiration and color, it works in different ways. I usually see something that sparks an idea-it could be at the flea market, or from a museum, or even in a store. Whatever that spark of inspiration is, there is usually a lot of research that comes after the fact. For example, my newest pillow collection features some insect designs. Once I had this idea to do insects, I searched books, prints, paintings, natural history museums, wherever to find the right insects that I liked and to just take inspiration from these different insects. In the end the final design is just a big mix up of all of these different images that I have seen, but the final work never really literally looks like anything I have seen. Any design I do is probably 90% research and only 10% of actual time sitting down and putting the design to paper, or in my case computer screen.

You can read the rest of this interview on the Apartment 528 Blog. In the meantime stay tuned for new additions to the Thomas Paul collection on DomesticModern.com coming in the near future.

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July 2nd, 2008

Birds on the Brain

India

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I'm in love with Thomas Paul's designs. My favorite piece (aside from his awesome melamine plate collection) is the Love Birds rug. Unfortunately, there's no place for it in my current apartment but, lucky me, I'm moving soon! Now I can start from scratch and design my whole living room around the rug.

In my search for coordinating bird decor, I came across the Bird Stool from Stray Dog Designs. Wouldn't it look cute perched on the bird rug? This funky stool is handmade by Haitian artists and comes in enough colors to make your head spin. Bahaman Sea Blue is my favorite color choice, though it looks crisp and modern in white. Stray Dog even has paper mache love birds that match the stool, which matches the rug.

Someone better stop me before I buy actual birds! I wonder if I need special zoning to turn my living room into an aviary.

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June 22nd, 2008

My New Design Love

India

My new design love, Jenn Ski, a Boston-based graphic designer and artist who shares my passion for mid-century design. After tracking Jenn's designs for the past couple of months, you can imagine my excitment when she left a comment on my blog the other day - in the blog world that's like being BFF's!

All of Jenn Ski's work is full of bright colors and bold patterns. From girly pink to manly navy, simple designs to patterned prints, there's nothing I don't like. I'm tempted to redo my whole apartment around her mid-century inspired paper and acrylic art or her expansive collection of giclee prints showcasing her digital work.

My favorite is this brown and teal piece - I love the moody colors. There's also one that reminds me of the Grey Cell Rug here at Domestic Modern. Add a modern, streamlined couch, a couple of funky pillows, and you've got the perfect living room!

While Jenn and I are now blog BFF's, we have yet to meet in real life. Hopefully that'll change this summer and I'll do a Domestic Modern exclusive interivew. I wonder if she likes friendship bracelets...

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June 11th, 2008

Hello My Name Is.........

India

It's my first blog post for Domestic Modern and I have to say, I'm a bit nervous. I feel like it's my first day at a new school and I have a giant pimple on my nose. What if I get writer's block? What if they don't like what I write?

Well, I guess I'll break the ice by introducing myself. Hello, my name is India and I'm a design blogger. ("Hi India.") Yes, it's India. Just like the country. No, I'm not Indian, I didn't live in India, and I've never been to India. I do have some AMERICAN Indian in me (Cherokee), I lived in Ohio and Illinois (on either side of Indiana) and I dated an Indian guy who used to live in India.

What else? Well, I love both design and constructoin. I love tools. The smell of fresh sawdust. The look of a newly upholstered vintage slipper chair. I love thrifting on the weekends and anything that involves craigslist. I love blogging - in addition to Domestic Modern, I also write Apartment 528, dedicated to renters looking for affordable design.

Okay let's see...I made it through the introduction and managed to work in a plug for my personal blog...looks like my job's done for the day! I look forward to many more posts full of inspiring design musings. Have something to share? Send it over. I'm always looking for fellow design junkies!